Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) France, (b) the Netherlands and (c) the EU to develop mutual understanding on the checks required on agri-food goods moving between the UK and the EU.

There is a constant engagement between Defra officials and our counterparts in the EU to discuss issues regarding agri-food goods at the borders as they are reported. Through these channels, and through our regular meetings with industry representatives, we’re closely monitoring live issues and working to resolve them. Officials also hold regular technical meetings with experts from the UK and Member States to ensure that border issues are quickly resolved, including multiple engagements between the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer and their counterparts in EU Member States to further develop mutual understanding on controls and checks that are necessary at borders. The Secretary of State will also continue to engage directly with his counterparts in the EU and beyond.